Wreck

[CarlB]

I went to Summit Point to test my car. I shouldn't have gone out in the rain, but I wanted to make sure it was running well and I thought I would just go slow. Big mistake! Avon ZZS tires that are almost worn out and me being stupid. I bent the frame on that side behind the main roll bar hoop, and I need to find someone to repair the car. The two people I have confidence in are both busy. Does anyone know a good race car mechanic with a surface plate?

 

[CBuff]

Oh carl.  Assume you are ok?  So sorry man.  Glad you got through it physically. That’s a shame about the car.  
my only contact is Greg at time machines in buffalo. He might have some leads on folks on the east coast.  
 

[S1Steve]

Hopefully you’re fine, to answer your question. SASCO Sports, Alton Virginia ( 434)822-7200. They sell tires also..

[CarlB]

Thank you for the concern and help. I am fine. I was lucky I went in a tire wall. I didn’t have a head and neck restraint on and I am not even sore. If you look at the pictures of my car you will see the rear down tubes from the roll cage come down to the area where the jack points are located. I believe that stopped the damage and protected the fuel cell. I have more pictures if you think people would like to see them.

[CarlB]

6 minutes ago, S1Steve said:

Hopefully you’re fine, to answer your question. SASCO Sports, Alton Virginia ( 434)822-7200. They sell tires also..

Thank you. Buddy Norton at SASCO SPORTS is a good friend. He and his son probably have the fastest SCCA Caterham in the country. I spoke to him and he couldn’t do it. I think I have someone. Although if anyone else has ideas I would like to hear about it. The guy who built my roll cage has a the tools and skills to do it.

[Croc]

 

Carl - really sorry to see this.  As a true engineer you have critically reviewed the outcome with logic - wet track and worn tires do not mix well.  Caterhams are tricky to drive in the wet at the best of times as their light weight does not allow them to build enough tire pressure to cut through the surface layer of water on a track.  So they are prone to aquaplaning before other cars might do.    

 

What you want is a rear basket replacement.  Really common repair in the UK.  My 420R in the UK had one done under its previous owner - you would never know once it is done right.

 

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/rear-baskets/7545-short-rear-end-metric.html

 

and here

 

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/rear-panel/7880-rear-panel-s3-metric.html?search_query=panel&results=131

 

You remove wheels and jig the chassis on a flat table.  Confirm chassis to remain is still square and has not twisted.  You cut off the old basket and marry up the new one - weld/braze/etc.  Its not a structural element to the car - just creates a trunk/boot and a protective space around a fuel tank.  You then install the rear panel - it has to be hammered around the rear basket tubes. 

 

Clearly not a task you can do at home yourself.

 

And definitely shipping is not going to be cheap.  

 

If you source the bits for the repairer, this might make them reconsider their ability to do the work.

 

One option if you cannot get someone local - reach out to the Caterham dealers on the East Coast and ask for their assistance to do the repair (it is a Caterham after all).  While they will not do it themselves - they will have the network of contacts and can organize the parts to be shipped over.  You would have to ship the car to them - it will not be a quick fix but she will be as good as new.  

 

One thing to check now - any damage to suspension mountings, A frame, or the deDion bar (i.e. bent)?  That rear wheel would have stressed them and or their mountings on impact into the wall.  The A frame and its bushings is the one I would be really cautious on.  

 

 

 

 

[CarlB]

Apparently I didn’t send the message I wrote this morning. 
thank you Croc. I have Someone to fix the car that is more than capable. I am questioning how I want it repaired. Do I want to get the frame fixed and drive it. Hopefully before the USA-7 event. Then deal with the body. The alternative is to do a lot more to a car that has been well used and could use a refresh. My car is an imperial and I am going to call Arch Monday and see if I can get a basket. That is definitely how I want to fix it. From racing stock cars it is common to do the same thing. They have a different name. They call it a clip.